Review: Plan A

Plan A by Deb Caletti
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ivy is pregnant.  She knows how it happened, but she didn’t have sex!  She planned to work this summer and spend time with her boyfriend; now she is planning a road trip to her grandmother’s house where abortions are still legal.  Lorenzo has planned their road trip to hit small towns along the way … from Paris, Texas to Rome, Oregon.  As Ivy meets people, she learns there are many stories and many feelings about what she plans to do.

Plan A is a stand-alone realistic story that covers a very tough issue but definitely has an agenda.  Caletti takes a controversial topic and breaks it down for young readers to contemplate.  I will admit that I do not agree with many ideas that were expressed in the pages, but I can also see people in the United States having these views and opinions.  An OK read, just know that this book does have an agenda and it is not hidden.

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Review: Hawkeye: Bishop Takes King

Hawkeye: Bishop Takes King by Ashley Poston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kate is known to help out when she sees a crime in progress.  After she helps a boy whose bag is taken, their bags accidentally get mixed up.  His bag has a mysterious book that others would do anything to get ahold of.  Her bag has her bow and arrows, see … she is the young Hawkeye.  Now Kate finds herself looking for Milo to switch their bags and keep the city safe too.  What other superheroes will help Kate out?  What new adventures will Kate experience?

Hawkeye: Bishop Takes King is a stand-alone adventure in the Marvel Universe.  Both Marvel fans and readers who randomly pick up this volume will enjoy the antics and humor throughout.  I found myself stopping to share certain passages with my husband because they were too good to keep to myself.  The adventure is fast-paced and the pages almost turn themselves.  A great read for everyone who enjoys superheroes.  

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Review: Night of the Witch

Night of the Witch by Sara Raasch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fritzi has just survived a witch hunter attack on her coven and plans to save the one family member she knows has also survived.  Otto is a captain in the hexenjägers and has a secret … he doesn’t want to burn witches; he wants to save them.  As their plans converge, these two are unsure if they can trust each other, but they know they share an enemy.  What truths will be uncovered?  Will these two have what it takes to save 100 witches? 

Night of the Witch is the first book in the Witch and Hunter series.  This first book completes its world-building without a lot of effort.  I don’t know if it is because this time in our history already has a lot of books or it was the authors, but I’m not complaining.  The story rolls along and the twist in the story is unexpected and appreciated.  This is a great series opener and readers will want to add the next volume to their TBR list. 

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Review: Enchanted to Meet You

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jessica started casting spells when she was a teenager and many went sideways.  It has been fifteen years since she was told she could never join the World Council of Witches, yet Derrick has come to her small town to tell her she is the Chosen One.  She must help the Light defeat the darkness that is about to arrive.  Who is Derrick?  Does Jessica have what it takes to save her town?  

Enchanted to Meet You is the first book in the Witches of West Harbor series.  This supernatural rom-com is light and funny, but it does have one very descriptive intimate scene … but only one.  I almost felt as if the story went too quickly and I finished wanting more.  This story is complete (not a cliffhanger), but the story arch has been created for an entire series for Jessica and some other characters.  A fun witchy story in a world full of dark novels.

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Review: Champion of Fate

Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reed may be an orphan, but she is not without family.  She has been preparing to be an Aristene and has finally become an initiate.  She has one large task … make sure her first hero finds glory.  If successful, she will be an Aristene and stand tall beside her sisters.  If her first hero fails, she will be forced to leave the only family she has left.  Reed has grand plans, but her hero, Hestion, is not what she bargained for.  What secrets about becoming an Aristene will be uncovered?  Will Hestion be the hero Reed needs him to be?

Champion of Fate is the first book in the Heromaker series.  This fantasy adventure has the making of a grand storyline and although there is some worldbuilding at the beginning of the book, it was artfully included and didn’t feel like drudgery.  Blake has created characters that are easy to relate to, even though I have never gone through the ordeals experienced throughout this tale.  A great start for what will be a fun series.

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Review: Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose

Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enola is enjoying her life.  She is living independently (and not hiding from her brothers), attending classes, and (still) helping people find lost things.  When Rudyard Kipling’s friend disappears, he goes to Enola’s office asking for help … but won’t hire her because she is female.  Enola takes this as a personal challenge and decides to look for Balestier herself, even though Kipling has hired her brother, Sherlock.  What happened to Balestier?  Who will find out first?

Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose is the ninth book in the Enola Holmes series.  The great thing about this series is you can read any of the books independently and still have a wonderful experience, yet those who read the books in order are rewarded with extra insight and background information.  Springer has crafted a character that is easy to relate to and even though this is written for the younger reader, readers of all ages will enjoy this work.

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Review: Reign

Reign by Katharine McGee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The American royal family is falling apart.  Queen Beatrice is in a coma and her brother is regent in her place.  Princess Samantha has run away, and no one knows where she is.  Many in America liked this arrangement, they wanted a king on the throne anyway.  Others are hoping this is just temporary … they believe that Beatrice will wake up and retake her place on the throne.  What will happen to the royal family now? 

Reign is the fourth and final book in the American Royals series.  The story is told in alternating voices so readers will have a very wide view of things that are going on.  Most of the issues are presented in the first few chapters and the the story steamrolls its way without much effort.  I know I had my pick for who would end up on the throne, yet readers will need to make their own choice, and either be happy or disappointed with the results.  A strong conclusion to a fun series.

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